Telescopic concrete tunnel and shaft mold-form.



H. B. LOXTERMAN. TELESCOPIC CQNCRETE TUNNEL AND SHAFT MOLD FORM.

APPLICATION HLED APR-12, 1916.

Patented June 5, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR- Ma 4,4 ATTORNEYS.

wnnzss WA-4 H B. LOXTERIVIANL TELESCOPIC CONCRETE TUNNEL AND SHAFT MOLD FORM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.12, 1916.

Patented June 5, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

WITNESS:

@ INVENTOR.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

HOWARD 1B. LOXTERMAN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO BLAW STEEL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

Application filed April 12, 1916. Serial No. 90,581.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HOWARD B. Lox'rnn- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telescopic Concrete Tunnel and Shaft Mold-Forms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tunnel and shaft mold forms and more particularly to that class of forms used in making concrete line tunnels, viaducts, sewers and shafts, and has for its principal objects, the provision of a metal mold form that may readily be erected in the field; the provision of a mold form that is cheap in construction and easily manipulated; the provision of a mold form that may be used in forming shafts of varying diameters without changing the dimensions of the metal parts; the provision of a mold form for circular tunnels, sewers, etc., wherein truck rails are carried by the form whereby material or the forms themselves may be conveyed throu h the mold when it is set up; the provision of a mold form which is made up of a series of panels formed of joined metal segments, and wherein the joints of the segments are arranged in staggered relation so as to strengthen and line the structure; and such other objects as may hereinafter appear. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an assembled mold form showing three panels; Fig. 2 is an end view of a panel shown in the position of the central panel of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of a panel shown in the position of the end panels of Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is an end view of a modified form of panel; and Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the panel shown in Fig. 4:.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the mold form comprises a series of panels 2 and 3 made up of similar segmental sections 4. Each section comprises a curved plate provided at its end edges with inwardly projecting curved stifl'ening and joining flanges formed of angle irons securely riveted to the end margin of the plate. The side edges of the plates are provided with straight inwardly projecting joining flanges 6 formed of angle irons securely riveted to the side margins of the plates.

. Each segment is joined to another segment by means of the flanges 6 through which bolts 7 are secured, and when the six segments, as in the form illustrated, are

thus joined they constitute a single panel of the mold which forms a circle nearly the diameter of the completedtunnel or shaft. In order to secure the desired diameter, a

filler block 8 is employed for each panel.

The width of this block may be varied to produce forms of various diameters.

A tie rod 8" having a turn buckle, 9, connects opposing segments and serves to adjust the form and to collapse it when it is desired to remove the form from the finished concrete. The flanges 5 of each segment are provided with a series of slots 10, through which bolts 11, Fig. 1, are inserted for the purpose of securing the flanges 5 of one panel to the flanges 5 of an adjacent panel.

The panels are all constructed alike in every particular, with the exception that some are provided with truck rails to be hereinafter described, and when two or.

the segments (see Fig. 1), are placed in staggered relation, so that the ends of two of the flanges 5 will be positioned adjacent the center of an abutting flange 5 on the adjacent pane. The slots 10 are so positioned that they will allne when in the position just described so as to permit the bolts 11 to be readily applied. It will be seen that each joint 12 is reinforced by the adjacent segmentand that the construction results in a very strong mold. Owing to the large number of slots and their spaced relation, certain slots will aline even though spacing blocks 8 of various widths are used.

It is desirable to convey the material for the tunnel construction and the collapsed or dismantled forms through set up forms upon trucks, and for this purpose suitable rails 13, 14, 15, and 15' are provided for the truck to roll upon. These rails consist of standard bulb beams or angles secured to the segmentalsections of the panels, each panel being provided with four rails. The

purpose of having four rails is to provide two rails for the truck regardless of the position of the panel. For instance, when a panel is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the truck rolls upon the rails 13 andl i, and when the panel is in Fig. 3, the truck rolls upon the rails 14 15. the position wherein the joints are in the staggered relation indicated in Fig. 1, a continuous rail system is provided throughout the length of the mold form. The rails are securely bolted to the segmental sections and the head of the rail projects above the flanges 5 suflicient distance -to permit of free movement of the truck. Where the form is used in the construction of vertical shafts the rails may two tie rods arranged in parallel relation if I desirable.

and

When it is desired to remove a form from the finished concrete the bolts 11 are first removed and then the filler block is knocked.

out from between the ends of the panel. The turn buckle is then turned to draw the segments inward, .thus reducing the diameter of the form. The form can then be moved into an advanced position for another oper-,

As the forms are self supporting when in operative position, there is no necemity for interior bracing. Therefore, a panel may be collapsed sufliciently to reduce its diameter,

so that it will clear the angles 5 and telescope intothe remaining panels, and ma then be moved forward through the other panels and set up in an advanced position while concrete is being applied to theother panels. The panels may be advanced in another manner by taking the segments apart and placing them upon conveying them through the other panels into an advanced again be set up.

Referring to Figs. 4: and 5, a modified form of construction is illustrated. This form consists of a plurality of segmental sections 14 which may be of varying lengths in order to build up various sized panels. As in the previously described construction the segments are jecting flanges 15 for the purpose of securing the segments 14 together to form a circu-.

lar panel, and with inwardly projecting flanges 16 for the purpose of stiflening the segments and joinlng one panel with an ad-' When a plurality of panels are joined their segment joints are not staggered, but are alined, and for the purpose of stiflening the form at the joints fish plates 19 are 5 placed on the inside face of the flanges 16 the position shown in Thus, when the panels are placed in.

be dispensed with and,

.from between the ends .turn buckles turned to draw the segments inthe truck and then position where they may.

provided with inwardly prooining panel so as to so that the joint is located adjacent the middle thereof. When the bolts 18 are tightened the form is rigidly held in shape. As in the )reviously described construction a filler block 20 is provided to permit of collapsing the form and of the adjustment of the diameter thereof by the use of different sizes of blocks. The form is adjusted by a tie rod 21 provided with a turn buckle 22.

his form is also provided with rails 23 which consist of angle irons supported upon clips 24 which areriveted to the flanges 16' of one of the segmental sections. The rails are for the purpose of supporting a truck for carrying material or forms through a set up mold form.

When it is desired to collapse the form for removal from the finished concrete, the bolts 18 are loosened to permit of slight movement of the flanges 16 with respect to the fish plates 19. The block 20 is then knocked out of the form and the ward. This will reduce the diameter of the form and it may be advanced through the other forms for a new operation. The segments of this form may also be taken apart and placed upon the truck for conveyance through the remaining forms.

It is obvious that certain changesmay be made in the details without departing from the spirit of the invention and the invention is therefore not limited to the specific construction herein illustrated and described.

' at I claim is:

1. A circular form comprising a series of circular anels having their ends joinedby means of inwardly rejecting flanges, and rail members extend axis of the mold, carried by the panels adjacent the lower portion thereof and having their tread surface projecting above the flanges whereby the wheels of the truck are free to ass from one panel to another throu h t e form.

2. circular form comprising a series of circular panels having their ends joined by means of inwardly projecting flanges, and rail members extending parallel with the axis of the mold, carried by each panel adjacent the lower portion thereof and adapted to aline with the rail members of the adjoining panel, whereby a truck may be moved through the form upon the rails.

3. A circular mold form comprising a series of similar circular panels formed of joined segments arranged together so that the joints of one panel are in staggered relation with the joints of an adjoining panel, and a plurality of truck rails carried by each panel, and so disposed that when two or more panels are lation at least two of the rails of one panel will aline with two of the rails of the adforma continuous mg parallel with the.

connected in the above retrack for the passage of a truck through the joined panels.

4. A circular mold form comprising a series of circular panels forming the greater part of a circle, a filler block for each panel disposed between the ends thereof for separating the ends of the panels to form a mold 'of predetermined diameter, flanges. on the 

